Jealott's Hill International Research Centre

Syngenta, Jealott's Hill International Research Centre has been awarded Chemical Landmark status by the RSC at a ceremony at the research centre on Friday, 23 November 2007.

Jealott's Hill was founded in 1928 and became part of Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI).  It is the UK's largest agricultural research site and the last remaining UK research site for the agrochemical industry.  It has played a vital role in crop protection in feeding the world's population for almost eighty years through the discovery and development of products to protect crops from attack by pests, weeds and diseases and optimising the use of scarce resources such as land, water and labour.

The research site played a significant part in feeding the nation during World War 2 with the development of the herbicides 2,4-D and MCPA which showed a remarkable activity at low dosage which revolutionised weed control in cereals and led to the development of Britain's first low-volume sprayer.
Scientists at Jealott's Hill led post-war advances during the 1950's in design and better use of nitrogenous fertilizers.  In 1954 the the herbicidal properties of paraquat, a unique broad-spectrum (non-selective) bipyridyl herbicide were discovered and it still remains a major product today having been used in 120 countries worldwide.
The fungicide AMISTAR®,  was launched in 1997 and was the world's best selling fungicide for three years following the development in the 1990's of the strobilurin fungicides and use of biotechnology in the development of new products.  

Jealott's Hill currently employs employs over 800 scientists and support staff at the site.

RSC President, Professor Jim Feast awarded the Chemical Landmark to Dr David Lawrence, Syngenta's Global Head of R & D who unveiled the plaque to an audience of invited guests and 800 staff.

The inscription on the plaque reads:

Jealott's Hill International Research Centre

This plaque is in recognition of the pioneering work carried out by scientists 
on this site since 1928.
Research at Jealott's Hill has led to global developments in agriculture 
which have helped feed people and improve their quality of life.

23 November 2007